Dr. Tom Purcell, chief medical officer at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, discusses what the future of cancer care may hold in terms of monitoring recurrence and promoting health, as well as how Fred Hutch's streamlined cancer survivorship models help support patients.

Key takeaways:

• Fred Hutch is revamping its cancer survivorship model by embedding specialized survivorship groups directly within each disease division.

• Dedicated providers oversee the long-term care of patients who are no longer in active cancer treatment.

• The survivorship program focuses on improving overall quality of life by addressing the myriad personal and medical aspects of life after a cancer diagnosis

• Dr. Purcell wraps up a six-part podcast series on cancer survivorship. See fredhutch.org/news for other episodes

Dr. Jeremy Hollis talks with John Higgins about the two molecular mysteries that he solved on the way to earning his doctorate degree at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. His solution to the first case provided insight into the evolution of the human immune system and opened new possibilities for drugs and therapies when cell signaling goes awry. His solution to the second showed researchers a new way to trace the evolution of life's most ancient molecular machines when genomic sequences become unrecognizable using standard methods.

Takeaways:

• In just six years in the Basic Sciences Division, Jeremy Hollis recruited the help of colleagues in four Fred Hutch labs and published the results of both investigations in two scientific journals, even before anyone could officially call him Dr. Hollis.
• Solving the case of the Wonky Antenna for his doctoral thesis, Dr, Jeremy Hollis provided insight into the evolution of the human immune system and opened new possibilities for drugs and therapies when cell signaling goes awry.
• Solving the Case of the Vanishing Chaperone, Dr, Jeremy Hollis showed researchers a new way to trace the evolution of life's most ancient molecular machines when genomic sequences become unrecognizable using standard methods.

In this episode of Bench to Bedside and Beyond, Fred Hutch's Diane Mapes talks with clinical researcher and breast cancer oncologist Dr. Rachel Yung, co-director of the Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention Clinic at Fred Hutch, about hereditary cancer risk, genetic testing for hereditary cancers and ways to reduce your risk if you are told you have a pathogenic variant.

Key takeaways:

• Inherited cancers seen most often include breast, prostate and colorectal cancers.
• How BRCA1 and BRCA2-related risks compare with other genetic variants such as ATM and CHEK2.
• What happens after genetic testing, from counseling to specialized prevention and surveillance care.
• Options for reducing risk: earlier screening, imaging, medication, lifestyle changes and preventive surgery when appropriate.
• How a genetic variant can raise risk but does not guarantee cancer.
• How fertility, menopause and personal circumstances factor into prevention decisions.
• The difference between clinical genetic testing and direct-to-consumer results.
• What a variant of unknown significance means—and why people generally should not make medical decisions based on it alone.
• The overall takeaway is that genetic information can help people make informed, individualized choices with support from qualified clinicians and counselors.